On April 29, 2026, an international symposium titled “Thailand and Central Asia: Forging Sustainable Connectivity and New Partnerships in a Dynamic Eurasia” was held in Bangkok, the capital of the Kingdom of Thailand.

The event brought together experts to discuss the growing geopolitical and economic importance of Central Asia, address gaps in knowledge, and explore ways to strengthen Thailand's institutional and strategic partnerships with the region.

At the panel titled “Diplomatic Perspectives: Thailand-Central Asia Relations in a Changing Eurasia,” Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Kingdom of Thailand, Elchin Bashirov, delivered a speech, sharing his perspective on the current state of bilateral relations and the importance of deepening cooperation through multilateral platforms.

During the panel session “Policy Roundtable: From Geopolitical Rivalries to a New World Order and New Economic Corridors,” Chairman of the Board of the AIR Center, Ambassador Farid Shafiyev, gave an insightful presentation. He stressed the need to strengthen connectivity to enhance strategic resilience, diversify transport and economic routes, and build cooperation based on mutual interests.

He also underlined the growing strategic importance of the C6 region within today’s political, economic, and security landscape.

Farid Shafiyev described Central Asia as a natural partner for Azerbaijan:

“While shared history and rich cultural heritage provide a strong foundation, today’s cooperation is primarily focused on geoeconomic sectors-energy, transport, logistics, and infrastructure. As President Ilham Aliyev has emphasized, Central Asia and Azerbaijan are already forming a unified space in both geopolitical and geoeconomic terms. This is not just a political concept, but a reflection of real developments in transport, logistics, and economic integration.”

He added that ongoing global developments highlight the increasing strategic importance of the C6 region across political, economic, and security dimensions, pointing to the need for stronger institutional development of the C6 mechanism.

“This, in turn, will not only enhance the region’s resilience to potential challenges but also help ensure the secure and uninterrupted functioning of global supply chains.”

The diplomat also noted that Azerbaijan continues to pursue constructive  dialogue with Asian institutions, as well as with the United States and European countries. In his view, this balanced approach helps ease sensitivities, open up new avenues for cooperation, and create fresh opportunities for both regional and national development.